WItfE MAKING. 133 



have a bow handle in the middle, which serves as a pro- 

 tection against tumbling about, and is also convenient in 

 carrying. The basket is weighed with the fruit and sold 

 at the same price per pound, and it is well worth this 

 price to the purchaser for home use. This basket seems 

 to be the perfection of a fruit package, and I think will 

 come into general use for peaches, pears, plums, etc., be- 

 ing light, cheap, durable, handy, and effectually protect- 

 ing the fruit. 



It was a pleasing sight, indeed, to see the stacks of these 

 baskets at every vineyard and wharf on Crooked Lake, 

 waiting for the little steamers which cross and re-cross 

 the Lake to take them to Penn Yan, from whence they are 

 shipped to all the principal city markets; finding their 

 way to New York, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, etc. , 

 to be sold there at a price which enables even the poorest 

 family to feast occasionally on their luscious contents. 

 There is a vast trade established in them already, which 

 is steadily increasing. We can readily imagine that these 

 shores will soon become one of the greatest of summer 

 resorts, and that thousands upon thousands will leave the 

 crowded cities, for a few weeks at least, to take a " grape 

 cure," as is now a common practice in Europe, to return 

 to their duties in active life strengthened and invigorated 

 by the pure air and health-giving diet. Truly this coun- 

 try is a wonderful one, rich in all of God's blessings. 

 That the American citizen, constantly in the rush and 

 whirl of business, needs, above any and all others, such 

 recreation as a visit like this would afford, none will de- 

 ny. Let me hope that it will soon become fashionable 

 (and it need but become so to be adopted by all who can 

 afford it), to devote a few weeks annually to living a life 

 of innocent recreation among the vineyards, and come 

 back better, healthier, and stronger men and women. To 

 accomplish this will be one of the successes of grape cul- 

 ture, and not the least. 



